Corey Dickstein/Savannah Morning News Elaine Boyington, left, helps light Pam Abraham's candle Thursday evening at the Greater Gaines Chapel A.M.E. Church where a candlelight vigil was held in honor of Chatham County homicide victims. Boyington's brother was murdered in 1991; Abraham's son was shot to death in 2004.

Corey Dickstein/Savannah Morning News Family and friends of homicide victims Thursday night gathered at the Greater Gaines Chapel A.M.E. Church for the 22nd annual candelight vigil put on by the Chatham County District Attorney's Office Victim-Witness program.

It’s been nearly nine years since two teenagers gunned down her only child, but Pam Abraham’s pain has barely subsided.

On Feb. 7, 2004, her 25-year-old son Sean Abraham was shot during the armed robbery of the West Bay Street Church’s Chicken he managed. For Abraham, that tragic day feels like yesterday.

But with the help of others who have experienced similar heartbreak, she’s found ways to honor the life Sean lived and not dwell on his death.

On Thursday, Abraham and more than 30 others who’ve been touched by homicide in Chatham County gathered at the Greater Gaines Chapel A.M.E Church for the 22nd annual candlelight vigil in honor of homicide victims. The program each year is put on by the district attorney’s office Victim-Witness Assistance Program.

“It’s difficult. It is very difficult,” Abraham said. “Every morning when you wake up you know this is my reality, and I don’t want it to be anyone else’s. I don’t want to see mommies crying because their babies are being buried … It has to stop.”

For years, Elaine Boyington has attended the vigil to support those like her and Abraham who have been struck by homicide. In November 1991, Boyington’s brother Anthony Williams was stabbed to death.

“I try to come every year in support of others who have experienced homicide,” she said. “I just try to be a support system to them to encourage them — it’s hard. It’s still fresh, even for me when it’s been more than 20 years, a long time. It’s still fresh.”

Both women said they are horrified to hear of continued violence in Chatham County, where on Thursday, Savannah-Chatham police announced they were investigating the 23rd homicide in their jurisdiction this year.

Boyington and Abraham spoke out against the violence and encouraged those in attendance Thursday to join them.

“We have to continue to move forward,” Abraham said. “We have to be advocates. People are dying at a rapid rate here in Savannah, and it’s important because we’ve been through it … We’re voices not victims. Voices of homicide victims.”

Abraham said an anonymous tip through CrimeStoppers led to the eventual arrest and conviction of the 17- and 19-year-old who killed her son. She urged others who have been touched by homicide to speak out in their neighborhoods against those who refuse to give information to police.

“You know what it’s like to lose a loved one to murder,” she said. “We’ve got to get our communities back … We’re all here in Savannah, and we have to work together. We have to stop this, and we have to stand up and do this together.”